CFI Project Manager (Customer Furnished Item - Dedicated Payload Equipment) IRIS2 (Munich (Unte[...]

Role Description Summary

The CFI Project Manager is responsible for the end‑to‑end planning, coordination, and delivery of Customer Furnished Items (CFI), specifically dedicated payload equipment procured from external suppliers. The role ensures that all CFI equipment meets technical, schedule, cost, and quality requirements from procurement through delivery to integration readiness within the satellite system. Acting as the primary interface between custom engineering, system engineering, procurement, suppliers, and programme management, the CFI Project Manager ensures that externally developed equipment is delivered, compliant, and ready for integration and verification activities.

Primary Responsibilities / Key Result Areas

• Project & Programme Management
  • Lead end-to-end execution of CFI procurement and delivery activities.
  • Develop and maintain integrated schedules aligned with programme milestones, cost tracking related to procurement, and risk and issue registers.
  • Monitor supplier and project performance in terms of delivery schedule, cost evolution, and technical maturity.
  • Provide structured reporting to Programme Management Operations, Integrator Project Managers, and governance bodies.
• CFI Procurement & Supplier Management
  • Coordinate procurement activities in alignment with Procurement / Supply Chain.
  • Define and manage technical requirements flow‑down to suppliers, Statements of Work (SoW) and deliverables.
  • Act as primary interface to suppliers, ensuring contractual compliance, performance monitoring, and timely delivery.
  • Support supplier selection and evaluation, contract negotiations (with Procurement & Legal), and supplier reviews, audits, and progress monitoring.
• Technical Coordination & Interface Management
  • Coordinate with System Engineering for alignment with system architecture and control of interfaces (mechanical, electrical, thermal, data).
  • Ensure consistency between CFI specifications, platform and system constraints, and integration requirements.
  • Support interface management across all segments (V/C, U/T, GK).
• Delivery & Integration Readiness
  • Ensure that CFI equipment is delivered in the required maturity and configuration for integration.
  • Coordinate with Development teams, Manufacturing, and IVV & AIT Project Manager.
  • Ensure readiness in terms of documentation, configuration baseline, and verification evidence at equipment level.
• Stakeholder & Interface Management
  • Act as key interface with Custom engineering, System Engineering, Procurement, suppliers, and IVV & AIT Project Manager.
  • Contribute to programme reporting, supplier and technical reviews, and governance preparation.
• Risk, Change & Configuration Management
  • Identify and manage supplier risks, delivery risks, and technical maturity risks.
  • Coordinate change requests impacting CFI and conduct impact assessments (cost, schedule, integration).
  • Ensure alignment with configuration baselines and approved changes.
• Quality & Compliance
  • Ensure suppliers comply with applicable standards (ECSS, ESA, etc.) and programme requirements.
  • Support quality assurance activities, non‑conformance and deviation management, and root‑cause analyses with corrective actions.
• Competencies
  • Strong understanding of satellite payload equipment and supplier‑driven development and procurement.
  • Knowledge of interface management, integration constraints, and verification expectations at equipment level.
  • Excellent supplier coordination, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.
  • Ability to operate in matrix organisations and multi‑partner environments.
• Qualifications & Experience
  • Master's degree in aerospace, systems, electrical or mechanical engineering, or equivalent.
  • 5-10+ years experience in space or complex high‑technology programmes.
  • Fluency in English (written and spoken); other European languages considered an asset.
  • Proven experience in payload equipment or subsystem development, supplier‑management driven projects, or integration environments.
  • Demonstrated project management experience in multidisciplinary technical environments; experience with ESA or institutional programmes.
  • Familiarity with ECSS standards, configuration & change control, procurement processes and contract management.
  • Project management certification (PMP, PRINCE2, IPMA) is desirable but non‑essential.
• Other Key Requirements / Comments
  • Eligibility for ESA/EU SECRET personal security clearance is essential; candidates must be prepared for a security clearance procedure.
  • Willing to work 60% onsite from office.
  • Travel as required for project realization purposes.

SES and its Affiliated Companies are committed to providing fair and equal employment opportunities to all. We are an Equal Opportunity employer and will consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, pregnancy, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, genetic information, protected veteran status, disability, or any other basis protected by local, state, or federal law.